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Praxelis [Praxelis clematidea (Griseb.) R.M.King & H.Rob.] is an invasive species that infests many agricultural systems globally, such as orchards, rubber plantations, and other economic crops. The purpose of this research was to study seed morphology, germination factors, and allelopathy of aboveground parts of P. clematidea. P. clematidea seeds are small, light, and possess pappi that allow them to be dispersed easily by wind or animals. Among four P. clematidea populations collected from different provinces in Thailand, the size of P. clematidea seeds ranged from 2.6 to 3.2 mm in length, 0.6 to 0.7 mm in width, and were 0.4 mm in thickness. The weight of P. clematidea seeds ranged from 0.13 to 0.21 mg. P. clematidea had about 44 to 48 seeds per head. Seeds germinated over a temperature range of 20 to 30 °C while high (45 °C) and low (10 °C) temperatures reduced germination. Maximum germination occurred when seeds were planted on the soil surface. No seedlings germinated when seeds were planted at a depth more than 1 cm. P. clematidea extracts from aerial plant parts at concentrations of 25 and 50% inhibited seedling growth of hairy beggarticks (Bidens pilosa L.). Basic knowledge of the seed biology of P. clematidea and allelochemicals can help in understanding the invasiveness and in developing management strategies for this weed.

Alepidea amatymbica is used as a herbal medicine for the treatment of various diseases. As a result of its high medicinal value, this plant is being overexploited by herbal traders with little attention being paid to its conservation, which could lead to its extinction. Cultivation of Alepidea amatymbica was conducted to determine the appropriate planting depth and rhizome fragment length for the growth of this plant. The experiment was laid out in a Complete Randomized Block Design (CRBD) with two factors in a 6 × 3 factorial design. There were six levels of fragment length (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 cm) and three levels of burial depth (2.5, 5 and 7.5 cm). Emergence rate, number of leaves, leaf area, and plant height, number of florets, rhizome length gain, rhizome weight gain, shoot moisture, and rhizome moisture were measured as growth parameters. The best overall yield in terms of plant height, shoot emergence, rhizome weight gain, number of florets and number of leaves was observed in 7.5 cm planting depth at 6 cm rhizome length. Four- centimetre rhizome length had the highest leaf area of 111.9 ± 3.5 cm2, 101.3 ± 3.5 cm2, 105 ± 3.5 cm2 at 2.5, 5, 7.5 cm planting depth respectively. Shorter fragment lengths showed high potential for vegetative propagation in terms of rhizome length gain at all burial depths. These results suggest that A. amatymbica can regenerate from buried rhizomes and they may contribute to the establishment of a protocol for propagation that could help in conservation of this plant to avoid its extinction

The nested multi-link transplanting mechanism features a compact structure suitable for transplanting machines and enables zero-speed transplanting, which is crucial for high-quality seedling establishment. To address the challenge of existing transplanting mechanisms being unable to ensure the transplanting effect when the plant spacing changes, this study investigated the influence of key structural parameters of nested multi-link mechanisms on the motion characteristics and planting performance of transplanting devices. First, we derived the kinematic model of the nested multi-link transplanting mechanism and developed a MATLAB/GUI interface to simulate end-effector trajectories. We then quantified how individual parameters affect both the trajectory and the tip velocity of the planting end-effector. Third, we formulated a multi-objective optimization problem to maintain consistent planting depth, seedling uprightness, and adequate trajectory height across three spacing settings (350, 400 and 450 mm) and solved it with a multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) to obtain Pareto-optimal structural parameters. Finally, to validate the proposed model, we compared the simulated end-effector trajectories with high-speed video data collected from a physical prototype. Simulations reveal that adjusting only the vertical position of the power-transmission pivot (point B) is sufficient to maintain transplant quality across all target spacings. Field tests at 400 mm spacing yielded a 98% qualified-planting rate with an improvement of 3.56 percentage points higher than the pre-optimization baseline. Additionally, the lodging planting rate was 1.11%, the missing planting rate was 0.22%, the coefficient of variation for plant spacing was 3.01%, and the planting depth qualification rate was 95.11%, all meeting transplanting standard requirements. These findings demonstrate that the proposed MOGA-based parameter calibration consistently achieves high transplant quality under variable spacing conditions, thereby providing a practical design framework for precision vegetable transplanters., and thus provides valuable insights for improving nested multi-link transplanting mechanisms and advancing mechanized vegetable cultivation.

To tackle the challenges of high manual labor intensity and low efficiency in traditional vegetable plug seedling processes, this study developed an automated mechanical device through innovative design, dynamic simulation, single-chip development, and prototype testing. The device integrates precision seeding technology based on the synchronized motion control of ball screws and crank sliders, which improves the qualification rate of plug sowing to 98% by “one hole one seed” sowing, and also minimizes seed waste and reduces planting costs. Automated processes like hole pressing, sowing, soil covering, fertilizing, and watering are achieved through innovative design and functional integration, ensuring efficient and high-quality plug seedling production. Additionally, real-time monitoring of vegetable cultivation parameters, including seed type, quantity, planting depth, and environmental temperature and humidity, is facilitated by wireless WiFi, intelligent screens, and Alibaba Cloud, offering valuable technical insights for the digital and intelligent advancement of new vegetable plug seedling machinery.

Saffron, the \"golden spice\" derived from Crocus sativus L., is renowned for its richness in secondary metabolites such as crocin and safranal, contributing to its unique properties. Facing challenges like decreasing global production, optimizing cultivation techniques becomes imperative for enhanced yields. Although the impact of factors like planting density, planting depth, spacing, and corm size on saffron growth has been studied, the interaction between corm size and planting depth remains underexplored. This study systematically investigates the interactive effects of corm size and planting depth on saffron growth and yield, providing evidence-based guidelines for optimizing cultivation. A factorial experiment, employing a completely randomized design, was conducted to assess the influence of corm size (05-10g, 10.1-15g, 15.1-20g) and planting depth (10cm, 15cm, 20cm) on saffron yield. Uniform-sized corms were obtained, and a suitable soil mixture was prepared for cultivation. Morphological and agronomic parameters were measured, and statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test. The study revealed that planting depth significantly affected saffron emergence. The corms sown under 15cm depth showed 100% emergence regardless of corm size (either 05-10g, 10.1-15g, 15.1-20g) followed by 10cm depth corms. Corm dry weight exhibited a complex interaction, where larger corms benefited from deeper planting, while intermediate-sized corms thrived at shallower depths. Similar patterns were observed in shoot fresh weight and dry weight. Specifically, the largest corm size (t3, 15.1-20g) produced the greatest fresh-weight biomass at the deepest planting depth of 20cm (T3), while intermediate-sized corms (t2, 10.1-15g) were superior at the shallowest 10cm depth (T1). The total plant biomass demonstrated that larger corms excelled in deeper planting, while intermediate-sized corms were optimal at moderate depths. This research highlights the intricate interplay between corm size and planting depth in influencing saffron growth. Larger corms generally promote higher biomass, but the interaction with planting depth is crucial. Understanding these dynamics can aid farmers in tailoring cultivation practices for optimal saffron yields. The study emphasizes the need for a coordinated approach to corm selection and depth placement, providing valuable insights for sustainable saffron production and economic growth.

Current planting depth recommendations for corn (Zea mays L.) producers range from 38 to 51 mm in the midwestern United States. Characterization of emergence and soil conditions at a range of depths under later‐planted scenarios is important as days adequate for field work in April have been reducing and may affect planting dates. Field studies were conducted in Ohio from 2017 to 2019 to determine the effects of planting depth and soil type on emergence, growth, and grain yield. The research was conducted in two soil types (Strawn–Crosby or Kokomo) using a randomized complete block design with four replications targeting three planting depths (25, 51, and 76 mm). Sensors were installed at the depth of seeding to measure soil moisture and temperature during the emergence period. Plants were harvested to assess growth at V3 and yield at R6. Seeds targeted at 25‐mm depth resulted in the shortest time to 10% emerged but had the least uniform emergence (longest time from 10–90% emerged) compared to the 51 and 76 mm targeted depths. Shallow planting depth also correlated to fewer leaves per plant and fewer kernels produced per plant. Emergence 7 d or 86 soil accumulated growing degree units (sGDU) after planting across fields resulted in a per plant yield reduction of 5% per day or 0.6% per sGDU, respectively. In the Strawn–Crosby field, plot yields did not differ between planting depths; in the Kokomo field yields increased by 8 or 10% when planting at 51 and 76 mm, respectively, as compared to 25 mm. Planting depth adjustments can enhance crop performance, though grain yield responses may differ by soil type. Core Ideas  Shallow planting resulted in extended emergence periods.  Plants emerged within 3 d of the first emerged plants had no per plant kernel weight loss.  Plants emerged more than 3 d after first emerged had a 5% decrease in kernel weight per day.  Plot level yield response to planting depth was evident in one of two soil types.

The authors have shared the experience of operating the John Deere 730 Air Disk Drill coupled with the John Deere 1910 Commodity Air Cart at the Scientific and educational production center ‘Integration’ (Orel, Russia). The study gives a qualitative assessment of the operation of the seeder unit taking into account field size and shape, and proposes the technology of seed sowing at the field edges. The article presents the technical characteristics of the seeder, shows the impact of seeder operating parts on the technological process, and demonstrates the results of comparative experiments of the quality of seeding down and variation curves of the distribution of intervals in terms of planting depth. The authors have noted that the evenness of seeding depth is ensured by the special characteristics of the opener with the hydraulic reloading system. It is proven that the John Deere 730 Air Disk Drill equipped with the autopilot system allows achieving productivity up to 190 hectares per day.

Saffron ( Crocus sativus L.) is among the world’s most expensive spices, prized for its red stigmas used as a flavoring and a natural dye. Saudi Arabia is a significant importer of saffron, but the high cost of importing quality corms makes it economically unfeasible relative to the potential income from saffron production. Additionally, the high temperatures and harsh conditions of open fields pose significant challenges for saffron cultivation in the region. We investigated saffron cultivation under controlled greenhouse conditions with cooling to address these issues. Our study examined three plant densities—200, 100, and 67 corms m - ²—and two planting depths—8 cm and 13 cm—to assess their effects on plant growth, flower yield, stigma production, and new corm development. We found that higher plant density (200 corms m - ²) increased flower, and stigma yields per unit area but decreased flower number, stigma production, and plant weight per individual plant. Deeper planting (13 cm) reduced new corm production, particularly at the highest density. The largest corms and the highest percentage of big corms were observed at the lowest density (67 corms m - ²), with planting depth having minimal impact on corm production. Given the high cost of quality corms, balancing flower production per corm with reproductive capacity is crucial. Therefore, based on our findings, we recommend a moderate planting density of 100 corms m - ² and a shallow planting depth of 8 cm. These conditions provide a more balanced approach, optimizing both flower yield and corm production. Implementing these recommendations could enhance the efficiency and sustainability of saffron cultivation in greenhouses with cooling, making it a viable option for regions with challenging growing conditions.

Water scarcity and labor shortage pose significant challenges in rice farming. Direct-seeded rice (DSR) is an efficient method that conserves water, reduces labor costs, and allows for full mechanization of cultivation. However, variable planting depth in undulated field leading to deep/shallow sowing of rice seeds during mechanical sowing presents a major hurdle, as existing varieties lack tolerance to deep sowing. To address this, a mapping population comprising 150 F 4 lines, derived from MTU 1010 and AUS295, was developed and phenotyped for emergence from deep soil depth-related traits, including days of emergence (DE), percent germination (PG), mesocotyl length (ML), and coleoptile length (CL). The correlation revealed that DE has a significant negative correlation with PG, ML, and CL, whereas PG, ML, and CL are all positively correlated with each other. The mapping population was genotyped with mid-density SNP assay (1k-RiCA), and a linkage map was established with 414 polymorphic SNP markers. A total of 16 QTLs were identified for four traits, with phenotypic variance explained (PVE) ranging from 6.63% to 19.6% in the WS22. These included 5 QTLs for DE, 3 QTLs for PG, 4 QTLs for ML, and 4 QTLs for CL. Out of 16 QTLs identified, 12 were major effect QTLs ( qDE 1.2 , qDE 1.3 , qDE 1.4 , qDE 2.1 , qDE 12 , qPG 2.1 , qPG 2.2 , qML 2.1 , qML 2.2 , qCL 1 , qCL 2.2 , qCL 2.3 ) and 4 were minor effect QTLs ( qPG 1 , qML 1.2 , qCL 2.1 ). During DS23 season, QTL analysis for DE and PG traits identified seven and three QTLs, respectively. Out of the ten QTLs identified in DS23 season, eight were stable across the season. This study reported 11 novel QTLs, while 7 had been previously reported. The study pinpointed three QTL hotspot regions: one on chromosome 1 ( qPG 1 , qCL 1 ) and two on chromosome 2 ( qPG 2.1 , qML 2.2 , qCL 2.1 ) and ( qPG 2.2 , qCL 2.2 ). Candidate gene analysis in the identified QTL regions found two genes associated with hormonal pathways: OsSLR1 for gibberellin signaling and OsSAUR11 for abscisic acid signaling. Additionally, one gene ( OsMT3a ) associated with early seedling vigor and another ( OsABA8ox1 ) regulates germination through coleoptile growth. The identified QTLs, genes, and breeding lines from this study provide valuable resources for developing rice varieties with enhanced tolerance to deep soil emergence, making them well-suited for mechanized DSR systems.

Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.) is widely planted as part of monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) conservation efforts. Vegetative propagation is an alternative to planting A. syriaca from seed and offers advantages such as high emergence rates. The aim of this study was to determine the ideal planting depth and initial root segment length to vegetatively propagate A. syriaca. In a greenhouse trial with two runs, A. syriaca was grown from seed, and then 3-, 8-, and 15-cm segments were harvested. These segments were then planted at depths of 3, 8, or 15 cm. Planting depth did not impact A. syriaca growth, but an initial root segment length of 15 cm was associated with greater above- and belowground biomass and height in both runs of the experiment. Emergence rates were not impacted by either factor. Overall, A. syriaca was likely to establish regardless of the initial root segment length or planting depth, but plants grown from root segments of 15 cm were more vigorous than plants grown from shorter segments.